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drop

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verb American English pronunciation: drop /drɑp/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theydrop
he/she/itdrops
present participledropping
past tensedropped
past participledropped
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to deliberately let something fall
    drop something off something:

    The children were dropping stones off the bridge.

    drop something into something:

    He dropped a few coins into my hand.

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    1. a.
      [transitive] to let something fall without intending to

      Lucas dropped the ball.

      I dropped my keys behind the couch.

      drop something onto/over something:

      You’ve dropped crumbs all over the floor.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  dropThesaurus entry for this meaning of drop
    2. b.
      [intransitive] to fall to the ground or into something

      Everyone cheered as the ball dropped into the hole.

      She took off her jacket and let it drop to the floor.

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  2. 2
    [intransitive] to quickly move downward, or to let yourself fall downward
    drop into/to/down:

    Teresa dropped into the chair, exhausted.

    Doyle dropped to a crouch and peered in through the mail slot.

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    1. a.
      [transitive] to move part of your body downward

      He dropped his head into his hands and sighed.

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    2. b.
      [intransitive] if someone’s jaw drops, or if their mouth drops open, their mouth opens suddenly because they are very surprised
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    3. c.
      [intransitive/transitive] if you drop your eyes or your gaze, you look downward
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  4. 4

    drop

     or

    drop back

     [intransitive] to fall to a lower amount or value

    Infant mortality has dropped dramatically in the last 50 years.

    drop from/to:

    The rate on the bond dropped to 5 percent.

    drop below:

    In the winter the temperature often drops below freezing.

    drop by:

    European sales have dropped by over 30%.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  dropThesaurus entry for this meaning of drop
    1. a.
      [transitive] to reduce something to a lower amount or value

      We had to drop the price of our house to sell it.

      Be sure to drop your driving speed in wet weather.

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    2. b.
      [intransitive/transitive] if you drop your voice, or if your voice drops, you speak less loudly
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    3. c.
      [intransitive] if the wind drops, it becomes less strong
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  5. 5
    [transitive] to not continue with something

    The ad was dropped after complaints from the public.

    drop the act (=stop pretending):

    Oh, drop the innocent act!

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    1. a.
      to decide not to continue studying a school subject

      I decided to drop chemistry and take biology instead.

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    2. b.
      to decide not to continue with a court case

      The charges against him were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

      Her family wanted her to drop the suit.

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    3. c.
      to stop what you are doing in order to do something else

      He told me to drop everything and come over right away.

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  6. 6
    [transitive] to not include something

    He asked us to drop the word “liar” from our headline.

    The controversial clauses of the contract were finally dropped.

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    1. a.
      to not include someone on a team

      Rogers is injured and has been dropped.

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    2. b.
      to not pronounce a letter when you say a word

      She has a tendency to drop her h’s.

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  7. 7
    [intransitive/transitive] to stop talking about something, especially because it is embarrassing someone

    Let’s drop the subject, OK?

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    See also  let
  9. 9

    drop

     or

    drop off

     [transitive] to take someone to a place in a car, usually without getting out of the car yourself

    I’m driving into town anyway; can I drop you somewhere?

    drop someone at/in:

    Can you drop me at the corner of the street?

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    1. a.
      to take something to a place and not stay there very long

      Can you drop these magazines at Nora’s house on your way home?

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  10. 10
    [transitive] to say something in an informal or indirect way
    drop a hint:

    Ferguson dropped a broad hint that he would soon be retiring.

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  11. 11
    [transitive] to fail to win points in a game, competition, or test

    I think I dropped ten points on the last question.

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phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of drop. View British English definition of drop.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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